This is a photo Andy took of Aunt Kay’s chair. The chair is special to mom — so I’m including it on her birthday…

Today is mom mom’s birthday… and, while most folks love their moms — mine is special — even more special than your’s :)…

Writing about my mom is difficult, because I just don’t have the words to express how special she is.. but I’ll give it a shot.

My mom taught me many things, among them:

You don’t die from being tired.

Just because you don’t have money doesn’t mean that you are poor.

Sometimes you have to decide whether to wallow or get out and do something.

Always keep a book in your purse.

Don’t miss an opportunity to do something good for someone else.

Sleep is optional when you’re having a good conversation.

The solitude of the woods is good for your soul.

You can do whatever you decide is worth doing.

Don’t give up.

Pay it forward.

He may be cute, but don’t get pregnant — you may have to talk to him eventually. (the only love advice she ever gave me…).

Many of these lessons she passed down from her mother, the amazing “Grandma Joy” who just turned 95. Both of them have a way about them that I think I’ve learned, which is how to get people to do what you want them to do in a nice way.

My mom is someone who listens, thinks and tells you what she’s thinking. She’s loving, loyal and just plain fun to be around. She makes people feel comfortable with themselves and gently helps them to be better people. She’s great at encouraging without nagging.

Mom is a nurse in her soul. She worked as a nurse for 45 years — starting in a downtown Minneapolis hospital where she treated wealthy Jewish folks and poor homeless folks with the same kind and caring manner. She spent the end of her career in a nursing home in northern Minnesota — caring for Alzheimer’s patients and making their “now” as good as it can be.

My family is blessed to have her as an advocate in the medical system. She’ll drop what she’s doing and care for those of us who need it — on a moment’s notice. She’s currently cooperating with her sister Shirley to live with Grandma in Florida. Their goal is to make the end of Grandma’s life as stress-free as possible, so her thoughts are about what will be best for “Mom”…

You can see the real value of a person by what the folks in their community say about them — in Isabella, once they figure out why I look familiar — will say –“oh, you’re Barb’s daughter, we love your Ma”… as well they should.